Bodices!! Above are a couple different bodice styles, and a few different lacing options! I have since decided that side-back lacing is out - I won't be able to do that with my limited time. However, there is are still the options to front-lace and back-lace. The bodices can also end at the waist seam, or have an additional peplum (the little skirt along the bottom of the bodice).

I have drawn my current conjecture for each design, and I need y'all to let me know what I need to change! Let me know who wants their bodice to be front-laced, who wants it back-laced, and who wants a peplum. I took the plaids to the store and matched them to twill bodice fabrics; below are pictures of each plaid with a matching bodice fabric.



For Aunt Jenny, I currently have a front-lacing bodice with a peplum; I do remember that she wasn't too fond of the peplum, though - would she like it without? The shirt has an elastic neckline and 3/4 length sleeves with an elastic cuff. Below are the fabrics for this ensemble: blue+blue plaid for the skirt with a dark blue twill for the bodice.






The drawing at left for Sarah shows a front-lacing bodice without a peplum. Would she like a peplum and would she like it to lace in the back? Both of these options are possible in the same garment. The shirt for Sarah's ensemble has a tunic-style neckline with long, full sleeves, and cuffs at the wrist. The fabrics are a pale blue+blue plaid for the skirt with a dark blue twill for the bodice (same twill as Aunt Jenny).





Ellie's bodice is the same as Sarah's at the moment - I didn't have much chance to get Ellie's opinion. Peplum or no peplum? Back lacing or front lacing? The shirt for Ellie has a collar and cuffs, as as full, long sleeves. Unfortunately, I do need to have at least a small slit down the front from the collar, otherwise her head would never fit through! However, I CAN make this slit button-able, so it will close all the way. Ellie's skirt fabric is a bright blue+pale yellow+brown plaid, and the best bodice fabric that I found to for that was a warm brown twill.



I think I remember Lizzie saying that she liked the back-lacing bodice best... If she doesn't want that, let me know ASAP! I can also add a peplum to this if she would like. Lizzie's shirt has a tunic-style neckline and long, full sleeves with a cuff. The plaid for her skirt is green+black+cream+pale teal blue. I loved the teal blue, and found a matching teal blue twill for the bodice, but if Lizzie isn't a fan of the blue, I also found a black twill that will match nicely.


Mary Clare! The ensemble I envisioned for Mary Clare has a back-lacing bodice with a peplum. As I have mentioned, this bodice, too, can lace in the front and be made with or without the peplum. Mary Clare's shirt is the same as Sarah's and Lizzie's - a tunic-style neckline with long, gathered sleeves and a cuff at the wrist. The skirt plaid for this outfit is blue+red+pale yellow, and I found a matching blue twill for the bodice!



So, those are what I'm currently working on putting together! Let me know if bodices and shirts need changes SOON, or there will be no turning back (I haven't started the bodices, and I am most unsure about what each of you want with those designs, so let me know by this Monday if you can!).

Please leave comments letting me know what you like. (You don't have to be a member of blogger to post, just post as a guest and write your name!) I hope you like these ideas!